Interviewing Skills Quiz

Part One — Preparation

There is a fine line between being under- and over-prepared for an interview. Proper preparation and organizational skills will enable you to have a successful and positive first interview. But over-preparation could create a set of rigid assumptions, reduce your flexibility or limit your openness to new information. You need to aim for balance.

This set of questions helps to evaluate your current skill level in approaching an audit interview.

Important Note: All information provided to this website is kept confidential and will be used only to assist you in assessing your personal skill level in the areas outlined.

1.1. Preparation — First Visit

Please choose only one answer that most accurately reflects your usual preparation style:

1. What do you need to discover from your pre-interview or pre-visit research? a) client's location and geography b) client's definitions and acronyms c) client's history d) all of the above e) only a and c

2. You look on the company's website and you see a photograph of a man wearing a suit and tie. You plan also to wear formal or semi-formal attire. a) strongly agree b) agree c) disagree d) strongly disagree e) none of the above

3. If the company website depicts employees wearing company golf shirts, it would be fine for you to wear a suit and tie. a) strongly agree b) agree c) disagree d) strongly disagree e) none of the above

4. This is your first contact email with John Smith, the quality manager. How do you plan to address him? a) Hi John, b) Hello John, c) Dear John, d) John Smith: e) Dear Mr. Smith,

5. You should review other sources of information besides websites when preparing for your first audit. a) strongly agree b) agree c) disagree d) strongly disagree e) none of the above

Part One — Preparation (continued)

1.2. Preparation — Subsequent Visit

You audited this company a year ago and this is your second visit.

Please choose only one answer that most accurately reflects your usual preparation style:

1. The company has added more sites to its holdings. You plan to: a) discuss problems related to the acquisition b) share some examples of other successful acquisitions c) identify the motivations behind the acquisitions d) all of the above e) only a and b

2. The client has downsized. You plan to: a) ignore downsizing since it can be a painful topic for clients b) find possible gaps in the current business system that may lead to further downsizing c) prove that a good management system can help to stabilize business d) spend more time on the company's strategy e) both a and b

3. The company has just introduced a new product. You plan to: a) cover all processes equally b) spend more time on the production processes for the new product c) spend more time on support processes for the new product d) allocate time to better understand the company's future plans and products e) both b and c

4. Based on your initial visit, do you plan to change either your communication style or your dress? a) Maybe, it depends on our business relationship b) No, companies are always stable and consistent c) Yes, dress and communication style will be adjusted to that of the clients' d) Dress style will be adjusted, but communication style is personal and therefore stable e) Communication style will be adjusted but dress style is immaterial

5. Your research before the follow-up is not limited to reviewing the website. a) strongly agree b) agree c) disagree d) strongly disagree e) none of the above

Part One — Preparation (continued)

1.3. Preparation — Table Audit

Please choose only one answer that most accurately reflects your usual preparation style:

1. You review the documentation that the client has provided before the visit and you notice something unusual. When you arrive for your interview, you ask about it: a) immediately b) after a bit of warm-up conversation c) in the context of other information and material d) not at all and consider it an oversight e) only b and c

2. Some documentation has been provided at the last moment. You: a) know everyone is busy nowadays — no problem and no comment b) think the company must be finishing something so you'll ask for clarification during the audit c) check all the documentation — this included — to see what's going on d) check the required documentation e) know it's not a good practice and will mention this during the audit

3. The amount of documentation provided is much higher than is required. You think: a) it doesn't matter — I'll review what is required b) great — I'll review it all to be more prepared c) it's a good sign — they are taking the audit seriously d) something is wrong — they are trying to impress me e) it's a good sign — they are trying to impress me

4. A table in one of the documents is inconsistent or inaccurate. You decide: a) it is so minor that I will assume it's a typo and ignore it b) it looks like a typo, so I will bring it to their attention c) to check more tables during the visit to see if there is a pattern, then consider how to proceed d) the system produced a typo and you will try to find out what is wrong with the system e) to be direct, point out the error or typo, and check other tables to see if there is a pattern

5. There is an unusually low number of updates to the documentation. You consider: a) that this is a good sign — the system is running like a well-oiled mechanism b) that this means nothing and won't influence the interview process c) that this is strange and you will ask about the number during your visit d) that this is a warning and you will check all of the changes during the visit to see how they have been documented e) none of the above

Part Two — Listening and Observation

“A good interviewer is someone who listens for a living” — John Joseph Brady

Listening and observational skills are extremely important during an interview. In this part of the questionnaire, we will evaluate your attention to detail and your ability to notice key facts that can help you to connect with the client during the conversation.

Video: The ISO 9001 Family — Global Management Standards

Please have pen and paper ready to take notes on the video. It will take 7 minutes and 30 seconds to play.

If you are unable to view YouTube videos due to corporate security settings, please refer to the ISO website for a downloadable version of the video.

During your review, please note:

2.1. All facts and data that might help you to explain the benefits of the ISO 9001 QMS to an organization that provides a variety of services
2.2. Any key elements of both the appearance of and the environment or surroundings of the following people:
- Dr John Symons, Environmental Advisor
- Carson Harte, International director, Cambodia Trust
- David Amari, Quality Management Coordinator, Phoenix police
- Jennifer Crow, Quality Assurance supervisor, Phoenix police
- Judie Welch, Administrator R&I bureau, Phoenix police

When you are ready, click Next to answer questions about the video.

Part Two — Listening and Observation (continued)

2.1. Listening Skills

Please choose the most accurate answer:

1. According to the video, how many organizations use the ISO 9001 system? More than 700,000 More than 800,000 More than 900,000 More than 1,000,000 More than 1,100,000

2. According to the video, what percentage of the users is in the service sector? More than 10% More than 20% More than 30% More than 40% More than 50%

3. According to Carson Harte, what is the key benefit that Cambodia Trust said it obtained from using the ISO 9001? It helped to establish confidence between business partners It helped to manage changes over the years It helped to improve customer satisfaction It helped to get public trust and recognition It helped to improve performance of the organization

4. According to David Amari, what is the key benefit that the Phoenix police said they obtained from using the ISO 9001? It helped to establish confidence between business partners It helped to manage changes over the years It helped to improve customer satisfaction It helped to get public trust and recognition It helped to improve performance of the organization

5. How much money did the Phoenix police say they saved with the ISO 9001? Hundreds of thousands Several million More than seven million More than eleven million More than 25 million

Part Two — Listening and Observation (continued)

2.2. Observational Skills

Please choose the most appropriate or accurate answer. You may select more than one option per question.

1. What did you notice around David Amari? Files and books A wall calendar Pictures A white laptop A recognition plaque

2. What did you notice around Carson Harte? Files and books A wall calendar Pictures A white laptop A recognition plaque

3. Who was interviewed in a room with some flowers? Dr John Symons Carson Harte David Amari Jennifer Crow Judie Welch

4. Who was wearing glasses? Dr John Symons Carson Harte David Amari Jennifer Crow Judie Welch

5. Where did you see Officer Matt Morgan? In a parking lot In his office In the corridor Near the helicopters On the street

When you are a skilled listener with highly tuned observational skills, you will notice all pertinent facts and details during an audit interview.

Part Three — Conversational Skills

In this part of the questionnaire, we will evaluate how well you manage the flow of information, your ability to verify material and check for accuracy, and your skill in acknowledging your client’s contributions to the discussion.

3.1. Acknowledgement and Verifications

Please choose only one answer that most accurately reflects your usual interview style:

1. How do you acknowledge that you understand the information provided? a) Confirm with comments like “uh huh” b) Confirm with comments like “right” or “exactly” c) Nod d) I don't acknowledge this e) Both a and c

2. What is the first thing you do when something is not clear? a) ask a clarification question b) ask for more details c) employ a quizzical facial expression d) make a note to ask about this later e) both b and a

3. What information do you verify? a) all numbers, facts and data b) any that is unclear, ambiguous or inconsistent c) all meaningful or important information d) all of the above e) none of the above

4. How do you verify the accuracy of the information? a) paraphrase the client's words b) ask a specific question to verify you both understand what's being said c) make a note to check the information at the end of the interview d) all of the above e) only b and c

5. Face-to-face interviews cannot be replaced by telephone or conference calls, virtual meetings, or emails, because only personal contact will allow you to notice subtle clues and details. a) strongly agree b) agree c) strongly disagree d) disagree e) none of the above

Part Three — Conversational Skills (continued)

3.2. Managing the Flow of Conversation

Please choose only one answer that most accurately reflects your usual interview style:

1. What is the most important reason to interrupt an interview? a) the topic is covered and you need to move on b) you need clarification so you understand and are accurate c) you need to provide clarification to keep the client focused d) all of the above e) only b and c

2. What is your most usual manner to interrupt during an interview? a) with a comment b) with a question c) with a facial expression d) with a body movement — like raising a hand e) I never interrupt

3. How do you encourage an interviewee to continue to provide information or to keep talking? a) you pause in response to his or her pause b) you offer positive verbal reinforcement c) you shift your body position to mirror that of your interviewee d) you nod your head e) both a and d

4. You sense the interviewee is reticent to give you more information. You: a) incline your body towards that of the interviewee b) pause in response to his or her silence c) ask for elaboration on something about which he or she appears more comfortable d) shuffle your notes and look quizzical e) point out that he or she seems unwilling to speak to you about this matter

5. Your interviewee is extremely keen and is providing you with much more information than you need or for which you have time. You: a) listen politely because all information is useful b) listen politely, make notes to edit the material, and glance repeatedly at your watch c) interrupt and tell him or her that this is not the point of the discussion d) ask a specific question e) ask a bridging question — one that links back to earlier, more focused material

Part Three — Conversational Skills (continued)

3.3. Inspiring Confidence and Trust

Choose the answer that most accurately reflects your usual interview style:

1. Do you disclose personal information during an interview? a) always — it's a great icebreaker b) quite often — I look for possible similarities with interviewees c) occasionally — when I am sure I have something in common with the interviewee d) occasionally — when I already know the interviewee in another capacity e) never — I keep business and personal strictly separate

2. How do you use your research and earlier preparation during the interview? a) to make relevant comments b) to demonstrate awareness and understanding c) to ask more accurate questions d) all of the above e) only a and c

3. Do you use humour during an interview? a) always — it's a nice way to relax interviewees b) quite often — when I think the situation is appropriate c) occasionally — but only with people I know well d) never — I think humour is a mine field e) I only use humour that makes fun of myself, never a client

4. Do you let the interviewee know your credentials, experience and achievements? a) yes, but usually in the context of the conversation b) occasionally, but only when I feel I need to get someone's attention c) often, but usually as I introduce myself and shake the client's hand d) I disclose this as part of my small talk e) I never disclose the information unless I am asked

5. For what reason or in what instance would you make “small talk”? a) To initiate conversation b) To make a person feel more comfortable c) To demonstrate that you have knowledge about the client's business d) I rarely make small talk e) I think that small talk is inappropriate in a business setting

After the submission of the questionnaire you will receive a personalized report that can help you to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses as an interviewer.

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